PENTECOST AWAKENING

1. What is the fullest account on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4?

a) Then Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

i) 1When the day of Pentecost came, they (120 disciples) were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4 NIV)

b) Exactly 50 days after the resurrection of Christ (April 8) the promises made concerning the Spirit were fulfilled amongst the company of disciples (120 of them) waiting in Jerusalem.

c) This was the commencement of an entirely new work of the Spirit as foretold by the prophets.

d) There were several evidences that the Spirit had come to them.

2. What are the evidences of the visit of the Holy Spirit?

a) Firstly, there was a wind from heaven. A mighty, rushing wind.

i) In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for 'spirit' also means 'wind'. So, it was significant that there should be a mighty rushing wind as a herald (proclamation) of the Spirit's arrival.

ii) Wind speaks of life, power, movement, force, all typical of the Holy Spirit.

b) Secondly, flames of fire.

i) The symbolic fire was also extremely significant. John the Baptist has foretold that Jesus would baptize with 'The Spirit and fire'.

ii) Fire symbolizes purging, cleansing, burning up the chaff and dross.

c) Thirdly, speaking of other tongues, as the Spirit gave them words to say.

i) The evidence that came manifestly after the disciple were filled with the Spirit was that they 'began to speak with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance'.

ii) There were 120 disciples in the company at that time. We are clearly told that they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and clearly, ALL began to speak with tongues.

iii) The clear evidence of every disciple on this occasion was the supernatural given ability to speak in languages that they had never learned.

d) Of the 3 manifestations that occurred that day, only one was later to be seen to be consistently occurring factor accompanying the Baptism in the Spirit - it was the speaking with other tongues.

3. What may be an initial evidence that one has received the fullness of the Spirit?

a) The main source of evidence is the Acts of Apostles in which there are 5 recorded instances of people's receiving the fullness of the Spirit.

i) The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost where a company of 120 gathered at the upper room (Acts 2:1-4).

ii) The house of Cornelius

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47"Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:44-48 NIV)

iii) Paul at Ephesus

1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. 4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7 NIV)

iv) The revival at Samaria

4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:4-8 NIV)

14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17 NIV)

v) Saul at Tarsus

i) 10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." 17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. (Acts 9:10-19 NIV)

ii) Whilst it does say in the immediate context that Saul spoke in tongues we certainly know that he did so at a later date.

iii) 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:18, 19 NIV)

iv) 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:5 NIV)

v) 3Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV)

vi) Therefore, we suggest that speaking in tongues is a genuine and reliable initial evidence of receiving them Spirit.

4. Have we received the baptism (fullness of power) of the Holy Spirit? How?

a) 3 simple words to receive the Holy Spirit.

i) Relax

- On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were actually seated, so this is a good scriptural posture for receiving the Spirit.

- Sit back and relax. We are in good hands - the hands of Jesus. He is the baptiser with the Holy Spirit.

ii) Receive

- Ask simply, quietly and in faith.

- When we have quietly asked him to fill us to fill us the Spirit, then in faith, we must believe that he has answered our prayer and receive the Spirit by faith.

iii) Respond

- Our response to the Spirit is to receive the new tongue!

- Speak it out loudly!

- Exercise the tongue daily to build up our faith every time we speak and pray in tongue.

b) 11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13 NIV)

5. Prayer focus

a) Pray for the baptism (fullness of power) of the Holy Spirit.